LCBO programs expand to increase choice and convenience

Following the provincial government’s announcement in June on plans to deliver more choice and convenience for consumers, the LCBO is rolling out an extensive expansion plan to better serve Ontarians.

As part of the marketplace expansion, the LCBO will be authorizing 200 new LCBO Convenience Outlets (formerly called LCBO Agency Stores) over the next year.

In addition, the Grocery program, started in 2016, will be expanding with 87 new authorizations, bringing the total number of grocers eligible to sell beer, cider, and in some stores, wine, to 450.

“This is an exciting time at the LCBO as we roll out a wide-reaching expansion to better serve Ontarians,” said George Soleas, President & CEO of LCBO. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and extending retail access to beverage alcohol products to new communities and additional grocery partnerships will significantly increase access and convenience for consumers across the entire province.”

The LCBO Convenience Outlet program provides access to beverage alcohol products to communities that do not otherwise have convenient access to an LCBO retail store or Convenience outlet. The LCBO currently has 209 Convenience Outlet (Agency Store) locations across Ontario and through the expansion will be adding 200 additional outlets in the year ahead including 60 stores expected to open in August, up to another 90 by December 2019, and the remainder in spring 2020. For a list of the communities eligible for new Convenience Outlet authorizations click here.

The Grocery program expansion includes the addition of 87 Grocery authorizations, which will allow grocery operators to sell wine, beer and cider.

LCBO is procuring experienced third party service providers to deliver technical support for the selection processes for both grocery stores and LCBO Convenience Outlet operators. These third parties will ensure that the operation of the lotteries for both processes is completely independent.